Foreimen Family Mansion, City of Zittold
While moving to another room, Lochfell explained his request to Nitta, the leader of the delegation.
"I have also heard rumors that Japan is a military power that, despite being located on the outskirts of the Far East, has managed to destroy the Altian Empire, one of the Seven Dragons like our country, without a scratch. It also possesses tremendous technological power that is out of this world."
Not that it is a military power... Nitta thought, but he knew that Lochfell had a high opinion of Japan.
"And that its medical technology is of a high standard..."
Japan's isolated medical standards in this world had gained a reputation, especially among the nobles and royalty of Japan's neighboring countries such as Northaroia and Rovania. Lochfell also seemed to have obtained this information from somewhere.
"The city is currently suffering from a certain epidemic."
"An epidemic..." Endo murmured.
Finally, Lochfell gets to the heart of his request.
"It's not just about Zittold. The same disease has been confirmed in neighboring Beginteria and Foulique. People are afraid to leave their homes for fear of the disease. Merchants are fleeing, and the city has lost its former vigor."
Lochfell and four others arrived in front of a room. When they opened the door, they found a young man lying on a bed set up in the room. He was out of breath, and to the untrained eye, he was clearly ill.
"My son, Wilde, suddenly fell ill four days ago. He has had a high fever ever since, and his consciousness is very weak..."
Lochfell's request was to treat his son, Wilde. He was willing to return the Japanese national and did not require any money, and his offer was based on his parental love to cure his son, not on any loss. Nitta realized the seriousness of the situation.
"Get him a medic right away!"
Saying this, Nitta ordered the medical staff that had accompanied the delegation to be brought here. The three medical staff members who were waiting in the truck parked in the courtyard of the house, namely, Lieutenant Shibata, Leading Seaman Mitsunami, and Petty Officer Third Class Mizusawa, were summoned at a moment's notice.
Shibata, who was summoned, immediately began examining Wilde. He examined the patient's symptoms by palpation, temperature measurement, and blood pressure measurement.
'High fever, small hemorrhagic spots and significant lymphatic swelling... especially in the groin...'
Based on the patient's findings, Shibata comes up with several names for the disease. To further narrow down the list, he asked Perpira Filliform, a doctor on duty at the house, who is standing by his side.
"What were the findings of the other patients, the ones who died?"
"Findings?"
"...For example, any visible features on the affected person's body."
"Well... high fever, chills, and slurred vision were common symptoms, but... oh, the black spots! Hence, some people called the disease 'black spot disease.'"
The sudden high fever, clouded consciousness, swollen lymphatic system, and black spots that appeared in the terminal stage of the disease, this information led Shibata to predict a certain name for the disease.
"...Perhaps the name of this patient's disease is what we call 'bubonic plague' in our world."
"!!"
"Bubonic plague!? That black death!?"
Nitta was shocked when he heard Shibata's diagnosis. The others could not hide their surprise when they heard the name of the disease.
"Yes, it seems to be the case, but we cannot determine the name of the disease without an examination at a medical institution in the home country... but in any case, nothing has been done about it. It is a very dangerous condition."
The black death... the worst plague in human history develops after an incubation period of two to eight days, and if no treatment is given, death is usually followed a week later by septicemia. It once caused a worldwide pandemic during the Middle Ages in the 14th century, killing about one-third of the entire population in Europe. In modern times, with the development of antibiotics and antimicrobials, the threat of the disease is said to have ended, as it can be cured with proper treatment, and it has not been confirmed in Japan since 1926. However, even though there has been no outbreak of the global pandemic of the past, the disease is still quietly raging in some areas overseas. However, at this point in time, it is impossible to determine that Wilde's disease is the plague. There are many diseases that show the same symptoms as Wilde's. Moreover, they were not in a position to do the genetic testing necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.
"Since it was an epidemic, it must have been some kind of infectious disease, whether viral, bacterial, or protozoan... Fortunately, there were no septicemia-like findings yet. At any rate, considering that it was a bacterial disease, we administered antimicrobials. Mitsunami, bring on the antibiotics. Anything with a broad antibacterial spectrum is fine. Mizusawa, draw blood."
"Yes, sir!"
After receiving an order from Shibata, Mitsunami runs under a 1-ton trailer that was being towed by the truck parked outside. Another medic, Mizusawa, wrapped a rubber tube around his upper arm to draw blood from Wilde.
"W-what are you doing!?"
Perpira, a healer, was puzzled by Mizusawa's mysterious behavior, who, from his point of view, was acting in a mysterious manner. Shibata, who was watching, turned to Lochfell and Perpira and stood up to explain about the treatment.
"Lochfell-dono, Perpira-dono... our medical technology... the treatment we are about to give you may be contraindicated to your senses. However, they are the result of many different studies and many years of research. We ask for your understanding."
Lochfell, who had heard Shibata's words, asked him.
"What exactly do you mean by treatment?"
"What we are going to do now is an act called blood sampling. We will take a sample of your son's blood and discover the disease that is lurking in the blood to find out what this epidemic exactly is."
"...!"
Upon hearing Shibata's explanation, Perpira was shocked in some way and seemed to be unable to keep his mouth shut. Lochfell, on the other hand, could not understand much of what Shibata said, but he did understand his last words.
"The nature of the epidemic... you said that it is probably a bubonic plague. Can this plague be cured?"
"This is only if it is the bubonic plague... a disease that can be cured with the administration of drugs. Of course, it could be some other disease."
"...!"
Lochfell could not believe his ears when he heard Shibata's words. The devil's disease, spoon-fed to him by all medical doctors, could be cured by Japanese physicians.
"To do so, we would have to administer an intravenous infusion of antibiotics."
"Infusion...? Antibiotics...?"
Lochfell tilted his head at the unfamiliar words.
"An antibiotic is a drug, so to speak. An intravenous infusion is a treatment in which a needle with a hole in it is inserted into a blood vessel called a vein, and a tube from a bag containing a liquid medicine is connected to the vein to pump the medicine directly into the body's bloodstream."
Shibata explained in a matter-of-fact manner. Despite his calm demeanor, doctor Perpira's lips trembled.
"How horrifying! Such treatment is not allowed by the Scriptures! If you are a medical practitioner... you should not be doing such an unbelievable thing as pouring medicine directly into the blood vessels, but only treating them...!"
Because of the difference in medical standards and religious views, Perpira yelled at Shibata. Modern medical science seemed incomprehensible to the doctors of this world. However, Lochfell, who was watching the situation, uttered a shocking remark.
"No, it doesn't matter. If it will cure my son, then please give him that infusion!"
"!"
Perpira is shocked to hear Lochfell's words.
"Are you insane, Lord Lochfell!? Relying on the dubious treatment of this unknown person... this treatment is clearly against the Scriptures of the Irulan religion—"
"And why can't you do anything!? Shut up!"
"...!"
Perpira, in response to his master's anger, shut his mouth without saying anything more. Later, Mitsunami came back from the trailer with antibiotics and an intravenous infusion system.
"I have some levofloxacin..."
He asked Shibata with a deflated look on his face, perhaps having heard the angry shouting match that had just taken place.
"New quinolones, that's good. As soon as we're done taking blood, give this young man an IV."
"Yes, sir!"
After Mizusawa finishes drawing blood, he connects the tubing extending from the IV bag containing the antibiotic to the same needle used to draw blood, and secures the bag to the bed post to prevent it from falling out. Shibata adjusted the infusion speed by turning the roller clamp while watching the chamber's drip rate.
"We will see how it goes. I must confess that it has been some time since the onset of the disease, so I cannot say for sure whether your son will recover or not. Besides, if it is not a bacterial disease, antimicrobials will not show efficacy, so we will have to change the treatment."
He is honest with Lochfell about where the course of treatment is going. In this other world, he encountered an infection that engulfed an entire city. If it is a well-known disease on Earth like the bubonic plague, as Shibata sees it, then there is a good chance that they can deal with it, but of course there is also the possibility that this is an unknown disease that only resembles the black plague.
"Then, what are the chances of recovery...?"
Shimon, who had been watching from the side, asked Shibata with concern. Looking around, everyone, including the patient's father, Lochfell, had an anxious look on their faces.
"Fortunately, he has not yet developed any sepsis-like symptoms. In that sense, I would like to say he is lucky. But I can't say for sure. Let's hope the antimicrobials work."
He simply states the facts.
"The black death as we know it is a rat- and flea-borne disease. So if you happen to find yourself bitten by one of these creatures, tell me immediately. However, it is also a disease that can be spread by droplet or airborne transmission, so be sure to wear a mask while in the city. Also, plase inform the Ground Self-Defense Force and the Imperial Guardsmen outside. Also, as a top priority, stay away from those who are infected!"
Shibata informs them of the precautions to take in the future. The delegation was then to stay in Zittold for treatment of Wilde.
Mansion Parlor
Leaving three medical staff members in Wilde's room, Nitta, three other diplomats, Lochfell, and Crown Prince Sareed returne to the parlor.
"Now for our main question: where is the Japanese?"
Endo asked about the main purpose of their delegation's visit.
"...Bring her."
Hearing Endo's words, Lochfell ordered the guard standing by the door to bring Misuzu Sawaminami here. A few moments later, a woman dressed in a beautiful costume was brought into the reception room by the guard. Although her costume was in the style of the Juperia Continent, her face was Japanese. She looked nervous, but her face lit up when she saw two men and a woman wearing familiar costumes... suits. Shimon rushed to her and confirmed her identity.
"You must be Misuzu Sawaminami?"
"...Yes!"
She nodded.
"I'm sure you know, Mr. Noboru..."
"........."
As if to nail the emotional encounter, Lochfell asked Nitta. Immediately after, Nitta walked up to Sawaminami as well as Shimon and told her the current situation.
"Sawaminami-san, as you may already know, we are in no condition to take you out of here right now because we have accepted the offer to treat Lochfell-dono's son in exchange for you... but... I think you should be examined by a health worker."
Nitta turns back to Lochfell as he spoke to Sawaminami.
"...That's about as good as it gets, isn't it?"
"...Yeah, no problem."
In response to Nitta's question, Lochfell nodded. Afterwards, a simple examination was conducted by Mizusawa in a separate room prepared at Lochfell's arrangement. No evidence of assault was found, and fortunately, she was not pregnant. According to Sawaminami herself, she was treated as a 'servant' by Lochfell and the Foreimens, and was not 'owned' by Prince Fathi as she had been when she was 'owned' by him. They were never treated as 'comfort women'.
She had been concerned about the safety of another Japanese national, Emiko Yamanishi, who was still 'owned' by Prince Fathi, but when Mizusawa informed her that she had already been taken into custody and was on her way to Japan, she smiled with relief.
Endo also informed the Japanese government from a communication device attached to the truck that another Japanese national had been identified and that the son of the margrave was being treated in exchange for her return. The report was approved. Yamanishi and Atelican Vizier Kohl, who had departed from Atelica aboard the Izumo three days earlier, were on their way to Japan after changing to a merchant vessel to transport uranium ore to Japan at the Japanese trading bease in the Tomino Kingdom, where they made a port call. After dropping them off, the Izumo was heading back to Atelica to pick up another Japanese national.